| The Wheeling Park Commission announced today that Sue Seibert Farnsworth has retired from the Board of Directors after 30 years of leadership. Farnsworth, the first female park commissioner, became a member of the Wheeling Park Commission in 1992. She held the office of vice president from 2009 to 2021. In addition to The Wheeling Park Commission, Farnsworth’s public service to Wheeling and West Virginia also includes founding member of the Oglebay Foundation Board of Directors, 1996-present (secretary-treasurer, 1996-2017), Community Foundation of the Ohio Valley Board, 1997 to 2018 (president, 2013-14), Women’s Giving Circle charter member, Wheeling Symphony Board of Directors (president, 1993-94, life director), former member of the Wheeling Hall of Fame Board, as well as 2019 Wheeling Hall of Fame honoree for her public service, WV Board of Regents, 1977-83 (chair, 1980-81), WVU Board of Advisors, 1986-94 (chair, 1989-90), WVU Foundation, 1995-2010 (chair, 1999-2001), and 1995 Most Loyal Mountaineer Award. “On behalf of The Wheeling Park Commission, I thank Sue for her service,” said Bob Peckenpaugh, Wheeling Park Commission President & CEO. “Her unyielding commitment to our parks has made them better places for families to spend quality time together.” Born in Wheeling to the late George H. “Bud” Seibert, Jr. and Janice Boone Seibert, Farnsworth was educated in public schools and graduated from West Virginia University and its College of Law. In 1999, Farnsworth received WVU’s highest honor, the Order of Vandalia Distinguished Service Award. Farnsworth has worked her adult life on improving the city of Wheeling and the state of West Virginia, both as a lawyer and a civic-minded Wheeling resident. Farnsworth provided real guidance to expand the impact of private philanthropy at the parks and legal expertise in supporting the creation of the Oglebay Foundation. Her influence around West Virginia forged partnerships with other local and regional non-profit and educational institutions. Throughout the years, her counsel and sound judgment have guided Oglebay and Wheeling Park leadership through many evolutions. She will continue to be an active board member of the Oglebay Foundation. Farnsworth’s governance on the Nominating Committee of the Oglebay Foundation has helped to recruit new board members and the next generation that will continue to steward Oglebay and Wheeling Park as community assets for the next 100 years. |
